Infant dressing table

ABSTRACT

A dressing table for an infant or the like comprising first and second sections, each of which comprises two pairs of spaced legs between which at least one drawer is arranged. One pair of legs of one section is freely arranged between the two pairs of legs of the other section so that the two sections are linearly slidable with respect to each other. Preferably, each section is provided with two or more drawers in staggered spaced relationship permitting the drawers to be arranged in tier formation.

United States Patent 1191 Lerner 1 Sept. 4, 1973 I541 INFANT DRESSINGTABLE 1,588,771 6/1926 Richardson 312 201 3,162,484 12/1964 Kleffman[751 lnvemor- Lem", Roslyn 3,543,355 12/1970 Wyckoff et a1 24/81 cc [73]Assignee: Formulette Company, Inc., Long island City, NY. PrimaryExaminer-Paul R. Gilliam Att M h ff 22 Filed: Dec. 6, 1971 Sc a at [21]App]. N0.: 204,968 [57] ABSTRACT A dressing table for an infant or thelike comprising 52 us. c1. 312 237 first and Second Sections, each ofwhich comprises two [51] Int. Cl A47b 83/00 Pairs of Spaced legs betweenwhich at least one draw" [58] Field of Search 312/237, 201; isarrangedone P of legs of one Section is freely 297/248; 24/81 248/316 PCranged between the two pairs of legs of the other section so that thetwo sections are linearly slidable with 5 References Cited respect toeach other. Preferably, each section is pro- UNITED STATES PATENTS videdwith two or more drawers in staggered spaced relationship permitting thedrawers to be arranged in tier 3,313,584 4/1967 Rocker 312/201 formation3,010,775 11/1961 Giovar'melliul. 312/250 X 2,884,478 4/1959 Becker etal 24/81 CC S'Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PA ENTEB 3.756.680

\62 INVENTOR.

ROBERT LERNER BY FIG.6 W J4 ATTORNEY INFANT DRESSING TABLE BACKGROUND OFINVENTION The present invention relates to baby and infant dressingtables.

An essential feature of infant dressing tables is that they be easilycollapsible and portable since they are generally used in nurseries androoms where space is limited and since they are only used for a veryshort time and must, thereafter, be stored until the birth of a newinfant. Another essential feature of such tables is that they beprovided with as many drawers and shelves as is possible to contain themany diapers, lotions, powders and other articles necessary for thedressing of the baby. These two essential features sometimes act incontradiction to each other, since by multiplying drawers, shelves,etc., it becomes difficult to produce an easily collapsible and storabletable. Thus the conventional tables are usually of complex construction,difficult to manufacture and costly. They are difficult to assemble,collapse and store.

An object of the present invention is to provide an infant dressingtable, which issimpler and easier to manufacture, as well as use.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an infantdressing table which is easily assembled by the user and has a minimumof parts required for the assembly.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an infant dressingtable which is easily collapsible, requiring a minimum of manipulationand area to do so.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an infantdressing table which is safe and without dangerous projections, ormechanisms possibly harmful to the child and which can be maintainedclean and sanitary.

These objects, as well as other together with numerous advantages willbe apparent from the foregoing description description of the preferredembodiment of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION According to the present invention a dressing tablefor an infant or the like is provided comprising first and secondsections, each of which comprises'two pairs of spaced legs between whichat least one drawer is arranged. One pair of legs of one section isfreely arranged between the two pairs of legs of the other section sothat the two sections are linearly slidable with respect to each other.Preferably, each section is provided with two or more drawers instaggered spaced relationship permitting the drawers to be arranged intier formation.

The drawers are provided with integrally formed vertical sleeves at eachof its four comers. The sleeves fit over the legs and are preferablysecured thereto by suitable fasteners.

A handle is provided on one of the sections and a foldable cover isfixed to the other section. The cover being openable to rest on thehandle for stabilization.

Full details of the present invention will be found in the followingdescription and in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS In the drawings:

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION Turning now to the drawings, the dressing tableof the present invention comprises a primary section 10 and a secondarysection 12 which are linearly slidable relative to each other to beinserted one within the other in tiered, superimposed relation. Afoldable top 14 is provided capable of overlying the two sections whenopen and foldable to be coextensive with the primary section when thetwo sections are enclosed one within the other.

The primary section 10 comprises a first pair of elongated tubular legs16 extending outwardly at the bottom, and an opposed pair of straighttubular legs 18. The secondary section 12 comprises a pair of short legs20 and a third pair of long legs 22. Except for the short legs 20, allthe legs are of the same height. Arranged between the legs of eachsection are at least two container drawers 24. As seen more clearly inFIG. 3, each container drawer 24 is an open rectangular box having afront wall 26, a back wall 28, two opposed side walls 30 and a bottom32. Each drawer is preferably formed from a plastic such as P.V.C.,polyethylene or the like, by injection or blow molding so as to beunitary and have an integral construction. They may be colored anddecorated as desired. Adjacent each of the four comers of each drawer isa sleeve bracket 34 comprising a hollow cylindrical member having asingle hole 36 extending radially therethrough. The sleeves 34 arearranged so that those adapted to fit over the first and third pair oflegs 16 and 22 respectively, are both formed on the same side panel ofthe drawer, while the sleeves adapted to fit over the second pair oflegs 18 and the short legs 20 are formed on the front and back panels ofthe drawer respectively. To accomplish this the drawers may beconsidered and formed as mirror images of each other.

As will be seen in FIG. 1, the first pair of legs 16 define end stopsfor the secondary section 12 limiting its movement inward of the primarysection, while the second pair of legs 18 are arranged on the outside ofthe drawers to permit the secondary section 12 to slide outwardly. Theshort legs 20 of the secondary section are also arranged outside of thedrawers permitting the sections to slide, however, they are arrangedintermediately the first and second pair of legs of the first section sothat they cooperate with the second pair of legs 18 to also act as endstops, limiting outward movement of the two sections. The short legs 20are preferably provided with a slight bend at the bottom to permit themto be spaced from the second pair of legs 18, although, this is notabsolutely necessary. They do not extend the entire distance to thefloor since they are not needed theirupper ends arranged in a planecoextensive with the upper ends of the first, second and third pairs oflegs to provide a rest for the top cover 14.

As seen the drawers 24, in each section, are vertically spaced andstaggered with respect to each other so that the sections and 12 aremovable into superimposed tier like fashion interlocking with eachother. The drawers are held by screws 38 extending through the holes 36seating in similar holes formed in the tubular legs. By pre-drilling theholes in the legs, the exact distance between the drawers can be fixedeliminating the need of the assembler or user to be required to locatethe same.

The cover or top 14 is secured to each of the legs 16 and 18 of thefirst section by providing it with brackets 40 at each of its fourcorners. As seen in the enlargement FIG. 4, the bracket 40 comprises afirst dowel portion 42 adapted to seat within the hollow end of the legsand a tab 44 which is bendable over the edge of the leg and secured toit by a screw or similar fastener. The cover 14 comprises, inconventional form, a flat inflexible board like base 46 and a paddedsoft exterior 48 sheathed by a plastic or fabric sheeting.

A handle 50 having a generally U-shap is secured to the outer portionsof each of the third pair of legs 22 by suitable screw fasteners. Thebight portion 52 of the handle is fiat and the handle itself is formedand arranged on the legs so that the bight 52 lies co-planar with theupper ends of the legs. In this manner the handle also serves as a restfor the foldable portion of the table cover 14 when it is opened, asseen in FIG. 1. The handle 50 also permits the table to be easilytransported when the two sections are interlocked and may, at times,serve as a towel rack.

In order to secure the two sections in open condition at least one clasp54 is provided. As seen in FIG. 5, the clasp comprises a first sleeveportion 56 adapted to he slipped over the tubular short leg 18 and asecond semicircular portion 58 adapted to clamp about the adjacent leg18 of the second pair. The clasp 54 is easily swingable into and out ofoperative position and requires no mechanical moving parts or screwfastenings. The clasp is preferably made of plastic material, or thinaluminum so as to have a degree of resiliency or memory allowing thesemi-circular portion to tightly grasp the tubular legs and not bedislodged under constant use.

Various accessories may be provided. For example,

as seen in FIG. 2, a waste basket 60 is provided. The

basket 60 can be of any shape and size suitable to the overall design.It is held by two brackets 62 to the first pair of legs 16 opposite tothat of the handle 50. Each of the brackets 62, as seen in FIG. 6comprise a semicircular portion 64 adapted to fit over the tubular legs16, and a U'shape hook portion 66 in which the lip 68 or similar edge ofthe basket 60 can rest. The brackets 62 are firmly secured to thetubular legs at a given height above the floor by screws extendingradially through the semi-circular portion 64.

The bottom ends of the legs are provided with skid proof caps 70. Wheelsmay be provided on one or more of the pairs of legs, if desired. Thecover top 14 may have a restraining belt 72.

The table thus described may be easily assembled simply by arranging thetubular legs in the selected pairs and by successively slipping thedrawers thereover, so that the sleeves enter the tubes, as indicated. Nospecial tools are needed for assembly except a simple screw driver andexcept for the screws, the safety clasp and brackets there are no looseparts. Exceptfor the screws and the tubular legs, which are preferablymetal, all the parts are plastic. Since the legs and brackets all comewith pre-bored screw holes the exact spacing of the parts is simplified.

The construction described provides a very strong table since thedrawers and legs are interlocked by a bracket at each corner which isintegral with the drawer and fastened to the legs. Even should one ormore of the screws loosen, during use, the sleeve portions of thebrackets encircle the tubular legs and maintain the table rigid andsecure.

The table is easily collapsible, being merely slidably meshing insuperimposed relationship, when storage or transport is desired. Thesections do not pivot relatively to each other as with known priordevices and therefore, do not need excessive room in which to be closed.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that various changes andmodifications are possible. Accordingly, the present disclosure isintended to be illustrative only and not limiting of the scope of theinvention.

What is claimed:

1. An infant dressing table comprising a first and second section, eachsection comprising two pairs of spaced legs and at least one drawer,each of said drawers being supported adjacent of its comers to said legsin the corresponding section, one pair of legs of one section beingfreely arranged between the spaced pairs of said other section, one pairof legs of said one section being wider than both pairs of legs of theother section between which they are arranged and shorter so as not toextend to the floor, and the drawers being staggered with respect toeach other thereby permitting the two sections to slidably intermeshwith each other in linear closed and open positions defined by theengagement of the wider pair of legs with each of the pairs of legsbetween which they are arranged and wherein the short leg is supportedby the longer legs of the other sections.

2. The dressing table according to claim 1, wherein said drawers areprovided with cylindrical sleeves at each comer, said sleeves fittingover the legs of its associated section and means for securing saidsleeves to said legs to fixedly support said drawers thereon.

3. The dressing table according to claim 2, wherein all of said drawersare similarly formed of moldable plastic, the sleeves being integrallyformed with said drawers to provide a unitary construction.

4. The dressing table according to claim 1, including a cover comprisinga first portion secured to the upper ends of the legs of one section, asecond portion foldabe relative thereto between a first positionoverlying the same and a second position overlying the ends of the legsof the other section when said sections are in open position.

5. The dressing table according to claim 4, including means for securingsaid cover to said section, said means including a dowel portion adaptedto fit within the end of said legs and a tab adapted to be secured tothe exterior of said legs.

1. An infant dressing table comprising a first and second section, each section comprising two pairs of spaced legs and at least one drawer, each of said drawers being supported adjacent of its corners to said legs in the corresponding section, one pair of legs of one section being freely arranged between the spaced pairs of said other section, one pair of legs of said one section being wider than both pairs of legs of the other section between which they are arranged and shorter so as not to extend to the floor, and the drawers being staggered with respect to each other thereby permitting the two sections to slidably intermesh with each other in linear closed and open positions defined by the engagement of the wider pair of legs with each of the pairs of legs between which they are arranged and wherein the short leg is supported by the longer legs of the other sections.
 2. The dressing table according to claim 1, wherein said drawers are provided with cylindrical sleeves at each corner, said sleeves fitting over the legs of its associated section and means for securing said sleeves to said legs to fixedly support said drawers thereon.
 3. The dressing table according to claim 2, wherein all of said drawers are similarly formed of moldable plastic, the sleeves being integrally formed with said drawers to provide a unitary construction.
 4. The dressing table according to claim 1, including a cover comprising a first portion secured to the upper ends of the legs of one section, a second portion foldabe relative thereto between a first position overlying the same and a second position overlying the ends of the legs of the other section when said sections are in open position.
 5. The dressing table according to claim 4, including means for securing said cover to said section, said means including a dowel portion adapted to fit within the end of said legs and a tab adapted to be secured to the exterior of said legs. 